Engine...what have I got, newbie here with I hope a simple question Options

[seanpaulmc]

So, I've had this "affliction" for a while and I've succumbed. Bought myself a '73 2.0 supposedly. I'm looking the car over trying to get familiar with whatever it is in my driveway now and where to start on the repairs. I could use some help from the experts here.

I'm trying to figure out what the engine is but I cannot find any part number stampings, only what I believe to be case matching numbers. And, I haven't been underneath the car yet, still trying to work that one out. Here are some pictures of the engine bay. It has Webers but note the dipstick is short - seems the tube is reduced down to the case level.



















Thanks for your help.

[iankarr]

Congrats on the car!

Def not advisable to drive without the cooling vane assembly. It consists of a metal flap on each side of a rod which spans both sides of the engine and is actuated by a spring and thermostat as Rhodyguy mentioned. Even with the flaps in the fully open position, the air is directed along a specific path to the oil cooler and cylinders. If your car is missing the flaps, air would just flow uncontrolled over the engine and not provide the proper cooling. Heat is the enemy!

Edit:

Here's a pic I grabbed from another post on the site (thanks McMark!) that shows how the flaps are oriented. Although the flap in the foreground looks to be allowing all air to pass over it, there's actually a curve on the back of the flap which channels and directs air over the oil cooler (under the flap in this pic).

Post a WTB in the classifieds. Members here are really helpful and fair.

Absolutely recommend dropping the engine as it will provide you way easier access to assess what's going on and to make repairs/adjustments. It's not hard to do and you'll be much happier for it.